Adjustable table.



No. 780,829. PATENTED JAN. 24, 1905.

' LAFAYETTE STENGBL. I

ADJUSTABLE TABLE. Arrmoumn rrmz'n 'JULY. 26, 1504.

W181 as Q I I attain u UNITED STATES Patented January 24, 1905.

"PATENT OFF CE.

HALF TO KOE REDDINGER,

OF BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

ADJUSTABLE TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 780,829, dated January 24, 1905.

Application filed July 26, 1904. Serial No. 218,263.

.following is a specification.

This invention relates to lap-tables.

The principal objectof the invention is to improve the construction of such tables by rendering themjcapable of being used in upright position as an ordinary table or of being swung forward into the lap of the operator without changing the horizontal position of the table-top.

: Further objects of the invention are to simplify the construction and to decrease the expense attending the manufacture of such laptables.

With the foregoing and other minor objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in a table having a base with a plurality of sets of parallel supports pivotally connected therewith and pivotally supporting at their upper ends a table-to p in such manner that the table-top may be swung downward until it rests in the lap of the operator without losing its true horizontal position. v I

The invention also resides in a novel form of brace for holding the table in its upright position and permitting it to be swung forward when used as a lap-table.

Furthermore, the invention resides in the exact combination and arrangement of parts and in the precise details of construction hereinafter described and claimed as a practical embodiment of the invention. i

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table constructed in accordance with the invention; and Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof, showing the device swung forward in position to be used as a lap-table.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in both the figures.

The reference-numeral 1 indicates the base of theimproved table, which is made up of the end pieces 2 and the connecting-pieces 3 3.

"Pivotally connected with each of the end pieces 2 of the base isa set of supports& 5. The corresponding rear supports 4 L of the table are joined together by two connecting-pieces, such as 6 6, and the corresponding supports 5 5 at the forward portion of the table are joined together by only one connecting-piece, such as 7 the object of this being to avoid obstructingthe knees of a person using the table when it is swung forward into the position shown by Fig. 2. The top 8 of the table is provided on its under surface with parallel cleats 9 9, to which the upper ends of the supports 4 5 of each set are pivotally connected in any suitable manner, as by means of rivets or the like. By mounting the table-top in this manner its horizontal position is maintained constantly, and even if a bowl of liquid were supported upon the top 2 while said top was being swung into the position shown in Fig. 2 the contents of said bowl would not be spilled.

Pivoted at. its lower end to each of the supports 4: 4: is an upwardly-inclined brace 10, which near its upper end is formed with a longitudinal slot 11, having at the lower end thereof an angular notch 12. A pin or projectioul3 on each of the adjacent braces 5 extends through the longitudinal slot 11. The upper end of each brace 10 is curved downward to form a handle portion 14.

Constructed as above described, the manner of using the improved table is as follows: The operator, who may be either a seamstress, a cook, or any one else desiring to use a laptable, sits in a chair a slight distance in front of the table. By raising the handle-brace 10 until the angle slots or notches 12 become disengaged from the pins or projections 13 the table-top may be swung forward and downward in horizontal position until it rests upon the knees of the sitting operator and is thus prevented from becoming overbalanced.

When the work of the operator has been completed, it is necessary only to push the table into upright position. While doing this the ward by gravity, causing the pins or projections 13 to become firmly locked in the notches 12, whereby the table is held securely in upright position.

It will be noted that by reason of the fact that the braces 10 are upwardly inclined and are pivoted at their lower ends the action of said braces is entirely by gravity, and therefore the use of springs or other equivalent devices for forcing the handle-braces 10 to be locked in proper position is unnecessary. It will be noted also that the omission of a connecting-piece, such as 7 between the forward supports 5 5 permits the table to be swung forward onto the knees of the operator without difliculty.

The device of the invention is simple, practical, strong, durable, and inexpensive in construction, as well as thoroughly efficient in use. In its exact combination and arrangement of parts and in its precise details of construction it presents an improvement over prior devices of a similar character.

It will be understood that in swinging the table forward into the lap of the operator it is necessary only to grasp the edge of the table with one or two of the fingers projecting below the lower surface thereof in position to raise the handle-braces 10. With this object in View the curved handle portions 14 of the braces 10 are disposed closely beneath the lower surface of the table-top.

If desired, the longitudinal slot 11 in each of the handle-braces, which is formed merely by cutting away the lower portion of each brace, may be formed as a closed longitudinal slot through which a pin or projection 13 extends. It is preferred to form each handle-brace as shown in the drawings when said brace is constructed of wood and to use a closed longitudinal slot when the handle is constructed of metal, it being understood that either a wooden or metallic brace may be used without departing from the spirit of the in- Vention.

Other minor changes may be made within the scope of the following claims, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A table comprising a base, a plurality of sets of supports pivoted thereon, a table-top pivotally connected with the supports, a brace pivotally connected with one of the supports, said brace having a longitudinal slot formed with a notch, and a handle disposed closely beneath the lower surface of the tabletop adjacent to one edge thereof, and a pin or projection on one of said supports extending through the slot in the brace.

2. A table comprising a base made up of end pieces and connecting-pieces, a set of parallel supports pivotally connected with each of the end pieces of the base, a table-top having cleats on its under surface pivotally connected with the supports, a plurality of connecting-pieces joining together the rear supports of each set, a single connecting-piece joining together the lower ends of the front supports of each set, an upwardly-inclined brace pivotally connected at its lower end to the rear brace of each set, each brace having a downwardly-curved upper end forming a handle and having a longitudinal slot terminating at its lower end in an angular notch and a pin or projection on the front support of each set, extending through the slot in the handle-brace of the adjacent support.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LA FAYETIE STENG EL.

Witnesses:

C. W. BARTON, CHAs. E. BERGER. 

